Riverhawks Basketball
Coach Donell Morgan enters his sixth season as the head coach of Umpqua Community College. Last season saw the Riverhawks enjoy their best season under coach Morgan. The team finished third in the Southern Region of the NWAACC Conference with a 9-5 conference mark and 16-16 overall. It was also the first time since the 2000-2001 season that Umpqua participated in the NWAACC tournament.
"I am extremely excited where our program has gone over the last year. We have been fortunate to recruit young men who have been able to play the style of basketball that we are preaching here. This spring Nick Green, our starting forward from last year, signed a full ride scholarship to play at Humboldt State. We return three starters from that ball club, Kenan Dizdarevic, Edwin Richardson, and Jarrad Childs. Add key recruits Jordan Snook, Tyler Barnes, and Derrick Davis, transfers Steven Davis and Brian Williams, and I feel we should be back and able to compete at a high level once again this season. The South is always a tough region and we respect each and every team in our league."
Morgan is a 1993 graduate of Umpqua Community College. He played two seasons for former head coach Rod Snook. Morgan had a two year average of 20 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game. He was voted by the coach's as Southern Region Player of the Year his sophomore season. Morgan then transferred to Idaho State University, were he helped revive a struggling program. During his two seasons at Idaho State, Morgan helped lead the Bengals to a regular season Big Sky Championship and compiled a 37-17 record. He was among the league leaders in 4 statistical categories and was named to the 1st team All Conference Team. Morgan then went on to play professionally overseas for 5 seasons. Morgan's professional career took him New Zealand, Honduras, Chile, Malta, Iceland, and Uruguay.
Morgan returned to Umpqua Community College in 2000 as an assistant to Rod Snook. The team finished 3rd in the Southern Region and earned a trip to the NWAACC Tournament. It was the team's first trip back to the tournament since the 1990-1991 season.
"My goal as coach of this year's team is to continue to put Umpqua Community College Men's basketball in the same category as Mt. Hood, Clackamas and Chemeketa. I have tremendous respect for those programs because of their consistency. I feel that we have been knocking on the door for some time and it's our time to continue earning respect as a legit program."
Morgan is a former Foss High School standout. He was a 2nd team all state selection averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds per game. Morgan is very active in the community, running several basketball camps in the summer. Morgan has also created his own basketball academy for middle school athletes. The program caters to youths that are serious about the progress of there individual skills and there success in life. Morgan is also a full time middle school teacher at The Phoenix School of Roseburg.
Morgan is the son of Sondra and Gary Dupuy and he also has two younger brothers Gary and Dante.
Umpqua Community College is a equal opportunity educator and employer.
Umpqua Community College, PO Box 967, Roseburg Oregon 97470 Phone: (541)440-4600.
This page last updated 10-30-07.